An appeal over planning permission for a warehouse in Newmarket has been dismissed.

CI Industries Ltd applied for a single storey warehouse on Units 9 to 11 St Leger Drive in Newmarket – but district councillors refused it on the grounds that it was "unneighbourly" due to its height.

Inspector Ian Radcliffe, appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has now supported the district council and dismissed an appeal by the applicants.

In his report released last week, Mr Radcliffe said that other buildings in the vicinity were of a similar size to the houses, and the Studlands Park retail estate "complements the housing estate and successfully manages the transition between the two".

He said: "The proposed rectangular building at 123m in length, 10.5m to eaves height and 13m to the ridge would be a particularly big structure, significantly larger and taller than other buildings along the northern boundary of the business park and neighbouring retail park.

"The great monotonous length of this tall, unrelieved elevation would dominate and enclose [Studlands Park] Avenue and would be distinctly out of keeping with its pleasant residential character."

He said that the design of the warehouse would "unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the area".

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A number of residents of Vincent Close objected to the warehouse due to fears it would have a negative impact on their living conditions with lorries unloading close to bedroom windows until 11pm and staff coming and going 24 hours a day.

However, the inspector believed living conditions "would not be materially harmed" by the proposals.

He said: "On the basis of the acoustic report that has been carried out, the council is satisfied that noise could be adequately controlled by the proposed acoustic fencing, restrictions on the hours of operation and limits on noise levels."